DVA warning
ToothlessDawg sends us a copy of a letter he got from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs General Councils Office lifted from Patriots for America;
WARNING TO VETERANS
Forwarded by Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans.
This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.
VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.
In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.
Michael G. Daugherty
Staff Attorney
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of General Counsel (022G2)
I’m not aware of any evidence that VAS is involved in anything sneaky or underhanded, but forewarned is forearmed. Even though their website clearly states that they are not affiliated with the government, some people people may mistake them for the DVA.
Category: Veterans Issues
While they don’t seem to have any malicious intent, I am worried about the information they either leave out or don’t update. For example, the GI Bill information page only references Chapter 30 (Montgomery) and has mo mention of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) or Chapter 31 (Voc Rehab). Someone who goes there for information on education benefits might be mistaken about the limitations of their options. But of course, this is a legal matter and out of my universe, much less pay grade.